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Trio of Orioles elects to file for free agency

Trio of Orioles elects to file for free agency

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By Alden Gonzalez
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MLB.com |

Three Orioles refused an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and instead elected to file for free agency on Tuesday.

Left-hander Rich Hill, outfielder Jeff Fiorentino and catcher Guillermo Rodriguez all filed paperwork with Major League Baseball and have informed the O's that they will become free agents, a team spokesman confirmed.

Right-hander Alfredo Simon, limited to just two starts this year and coming off Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery, accepted his assignment.

All four players were taken off the 40-man roster last week.

Hill, Fiorentino and Rodriguez could all re-sign with the O's this offseason, but the filing allows them to talk to other organizations, as well.

The day after the end of the World Series marks the 15-day window when eligible free agents can file. After declining the club options for third baseman Melvin Mora and catcher Chad Moeller, the Orioles also have lefty Mark Hendrickson and right-hander Danys Baez as pending free agents.

Hill, 29, went 3-3 with a 7.80 ERA in 14 games (13 starts) in his fifth season in the Majors, before being shut down because of shoulder inflammation. The 26-year-old Fiorentino batted .281 with eight RBIs in 24 games in the Majors. Rodriguez, 31, hit .244 with 30 RBIs in the Minor Leagues this year and saw action in seven games for the Orioles.

Alden Gonzalez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.